Morton ought to be remembered as the chief architect of the most heinous deportation regime in American history. As President Obama’s top immigration enforcement official, he is responsible for splitting apart thousands of families. His name will live on in the failed policy of prosecutorial discretion, laid down in the “Morton Memo.” Last year, the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) said plainly that “the prosecutorial discretion initiative has failed.”

At the beginning of the year, we put out a list of the top ten reasons to fire John Morton. You could add another: that all ten of these problems still have not been dealt with by the administration.

Whoever replaces John Morton will most likely carry out the administration’s egregious (and most likely unconstitutional) deportation regime. Morton won’t oversee two-millionth deportation this year himself, but the machinery behind it remains almost entirely intact.

media@theniya.org

 NIYA Applauds Deutch Amendment to House Appropriations Bill

Representative Deutch demonstrates his commitment to meaningful reform 

NATIONAL—The National Immigrant Youth Alliance applauds the continued work of Representative Ted Deutch of Florida to fight against unjust enforcement. Today, we are calling on the House of Representatives to adopt his amendment to the House appropriations bill HR 2217 that would eliminate the detention bed space mandate.

Last fall, Rep. Deutch was the leader of twenty-six members of congress who called for a full review of Broward Transitional Center after we sent two of our activists to infiltrate the facility. Since then, Deutch has repeatedly called upon Immigration and Customs Enforcement to address human rights abuses inside detention centers. At the end of last year, Deutch sent another letter to ICE chastising it for its “excessive delay” in addressing the issues inside Broward Transitional Center. Today, Deutch demonstrates his continuing commitment to this issue by addressing it at its core: the reliance on private prisons and an effective quota on detainees to keep them occupied.

Private prisons make incredible amounts of money on immigration enforcement—Broward Transitional Center alone generates over $20 million annually for its owner, GEO Group, Inc. Nationally, ICE is required to keep 34,000 beds filled. By striking the mandatory language from the appropriations bill, ICE will not be pressured to keep detainees unjustly, in violations of their rights, or subjected to gross mistreatment. Also, taxpayers will not be forced to pay for these injustices.

We hope that all supporters of immigration reform rally behind this amendment. While the Senate process slows and the chances of a House bills appear increasingly dim, this amendment to appropriations is an opportunity to make a meaningful change right away.

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Today, a stay of removal was granted for Jagmojan Singh (A# 745-88-672). Jagmojan was working at a convenience store when he was given a citation for unknowingly serving alcohol to a minor. He went to pay the fine and ICE was waiting for him, Since Jagmojan was detained, his wife has had major setbacks with her diabetes, causing the amputation of two toes and the removal of bones.

His family had to move in with relatives because they have not been able to pay bills since he was detained and lost their apartment. His wife continues to battle her severe form of diabetes and their children are struggling without their father.

The only secure community is an organized one. Contact us at info@dreamactivist.org if you are interested in learning how to fight deportations in your community.

Yosaira is the mother of two young U.S. citizen children, a 3-year-old daughter and 2-month-old son. She’s lived in the US for 8 years, after fleeing violence in Mexico. Her only infraction has been driving without a license to provide for her children & she’s clearly eligible for Prosecutorial Discretion & Immigration Reform.

Sen. Paul: Will You Help Yosaira Stay?

Maricruz is the mother of a 4-year old American citizen daughter who suffers from severe asthma. She’s lived in the United States for 7 years and has been in removal proceedings after
being racially profiled & stopped driving without a license. She is also a low-priority for deportation, an aspiring preacher; if allowed to stay she would benefit from Immigration Reform.

Sen. Paul: Will You Help Aspiring Pastor, Maricruz, Stay in Kentucky?

After you sign each of their petitions can you help us drive some calls to the Senator’s offices? We are hoping to get in at least 100 calls today so your help would be greatly appreciated.

D.C. office: (202) 224-4343
Kentucky office: (859) 219-2239

Sample Script: “Hi, I was calling to ask that Sen. Paul help stop the deportation of two Kentucky residents, Maricruz Hernandez (A# 200-191-917) & Yosaira Cuevas (A# 200-565-372). Will the Senator help these mothers stay in Kentucky with their U.S. citizen children?”

After you call can you help me get the word out by sharing either petition on facebook?

The 50+ people who came to attend the emergency vigil, got to witness the joy of the mother and baby, husband and friends celebrating their reunification. We had an opportunity to pray in thanksgiving with them, to bless them and to hold in prayer all those mom’s and dad’s and family members who remain in ICE custody or who have been separated from their loved ones.

This would not have been possible without your prayers and the enormous community response and mobilization from faith communities, community and immigrant rights groups, mom’s groups, lactation activists (lactivists), Dream activist network, and more. In 24 hours, over 1600 people signed the petition, made phone calls, and helped to spread the word.

Reylla and her husband, Fabricio, thank you from the bottom of their hearts for the steps you, as strangers, took to support them.

This was indeed a miracle and together with the Holy One, and with our collective efforts of prayer and action in solidarity, we can continue to stop the suffering and deportations of our friends, neighbors and families.

Rev. Deborah Lee
Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights (CLUE-CA)

Since then Bruno has completed his DACA Biometrics, both father and son are still waiting for a pending family visa . At their last immigration interview ICE said they had to leave the U.S in 6 months. A few days ago father and son received a call saying they only have 5 days to leave! They are to be deported Tuesday May, 28th.

Sign the Petition: Let Father and Son Stay!!

Both are clearly eligible for Prosecutorial Discretion. In fact, Bruno is DACA eligible and when ICE officers looked at his DACA application, they threw it back at him and ignored it.

Alejandro brought his family to the United States almost 12 years ago in order to provide a better future for his family. If he were to be deported he would leave his three children and his wife. His daughter has a full ride scholarship to college. He has a 3 year old U.S citizen son. Alejandro is the sole provider for his family and owns his own construction business. Bruno is a junior in high school and badly wants to graduate and finish his last year.

<<SIGN THE PETITION & SHARE>>

Detroit ICE is known to blatantly ignore federal policy. Let’s hold them accountable. Please sign Alejandro and Bruno’s petition urge ICE to immediately halt their deportation and use prosecutorial discretion.

GEO Group is in the middle of a public relations crisis. After being infiltrated by the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, exposed, and having 26 members of congress demand an investigation of their facility, GEO got slammed by the media for attempting to buy the naming rights to Florida Atlantic University. And it just…wouldn’t…stop. Even those in contact with them got humiliated—a flustered president of FAU buzzed a group of ‘Owlcatraz’ protesters with her car, striking one with her rearview mirror and causing a minor injury. Just a few weeks ago, the Department of Homeland Security opened up five investigations into civil rights violations against detainees in the Broward Transitional Center facility.

By adopting a human rights policy, GEO Group is trying its hardest to put a smiley face on getting paid to keep people from their loved ones, and punching them in the kidneys for good measure. That’s a rhetorical punch in the kidneys, but we wouldn’t be surprised.

The ‘policy’ released by GEO doesn’t lay out a single safeguard for the mistreatment detainees like those in Broward Transitional Center. The policy commits a measly two paragraphs to detainees, of which not a single word addresses mistreatment, medical assistance and counseling, visitation, prison labor, or any of the indignities GEO’s detainees face on a daily basis and get paid by the federal government to inflict. GEO makes $20 million a year off of the federal government from BTC alone.

Here are some snapshots from BTC as reported by the Sun-Sentinel:

In 2011, three detainees attempted suicide at the center, according to the 2012 federal inspection review.

In one case a “Latin female jumped 20 feet from a stair ledge” and in another a detainee “swallowed pills,” Broward Sheriff’s Office records state.

The federal review also found that 10 detainees referred to outside psychiatrists were not seen within two weeks as required by ICE standards.

More:

Angel Raymundo, 38, originally of Guatemala, claims he developed a hernia that grew to the size of an orange while detained at BTC for six months. He was given medication for the pain but said ICE refused to arrange and pay for the recommended surgery.

His lawyer said Raymundo was not informed of the reason for the refusal. “He was just basically left in the dark,” said attorney Edward Ramos, who was recruited to help Raymundo by the activists who infiltrated BTC during the summer.

ICE released Raymundo in November, and his deportation has been put on hold for a year.

In another case, Luis de la Cruz, 39, who has been detained for more than eight months after being arrested for driving a motorcycle with an expired license, told the Sun Sentinel that he developed serious urological problems four months ago after being hit with a basketball and now must wear adult diapers.

A native of the Dominican Republic, he’s been given pain medicine and antibiotics and taken to see a specialist, but his lawyer Magdalena Cuprys said he needs more tests and has been told he’ll only be given them if he pays.

Not so much a laughing matter anymore, is it? No, and it never was.

Most importantly, Vargas wants to make sure all parents whose children are in Southwest ISD school system get a chance to vote for the people who make decisions about their children’s lives. In San Antonio, that means allowing immigrants to vote, irrespective of their immigration status. F

“Currently the only people to have a voice in determining who becomes part of the Southwest ISD Board of Trustees are the registered voters of district 4, but the registered voters of district 4 are not the only ones with children in Southwest ISD schools” says Luz Vega, a mother of 3  and community member who supports Vargas, “ Anyone with children in the Southwest ISD should have the right to determine the leadership that in one way or another dictates the education our children will receive.”

Vargas went on hunger strike in San Antonio in 2010 to support the DREAM Act. He has continued to be part of the movement, helping prepare undocumented youth across the country for direct action and civil disobedience. As an educator at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, he has continued to play an important role in the lives of local immigrant youth.

Plainly stated, Felipe has made an incredible contribution to the the undocumented youth movement, helping make it as bold or as powerful as it is today. We hope now he has a chance to fight for San Antonio students and parents.

For more information on how you can support Felipe, or for media inquiries, email torresalicia85@gmail.com

May 7, 2013

media@theniya.org

 SAVE THE DATE: NIYA Presents DREAM Graduation in DC on June 25

Will celebrate victories, push on to stop deportations

NATIONAL—Every year, the National Immigrant Youth Alliance presents DREAM Graduation in Washington DC, where we reflect on our accomplishments over the past year and welcome yet another class of activists into our movement. This year’s celebration will be on July 9th in Washington, DC.

LOCATION: Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol St., NE, Washington, DC 20002

DREAM Graduation will be an especially important moment for our movement this year. As Congress considers comprehensive immigration reform, thousands of people continue to be detained, kept out of reach of their families, and subjected to unjust deportation. As well, same-sex couples are denied equal rights in immigration law, and will likely continue to do so after the passage of whatever proposal ultimately becomes law.  We will not allow such critical issues for our community to pass silently away from the public debate. Our movement will continue to fight for them.

Commencement speakers and a full list of activities and sponsors will be released in June. If you would like to be an organizational sponsor, please contact Santiago Garcia at 828.559.7993. You can also make a donation via PayPal at admin@dreamactivist.org.

This graduation will be the second since the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a tremendous victory for our movement that came as a result of intense pressure placed upon the administration by undocumented youth. In June, NIYA engaged in a rolling occupation of Organizing for America campaign offices in swing states that culminated in the announcement of the DACA program. In the past year, we have also exposed dozens of cases of detainee mistreatment in Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, FL and Calhoun County Jail in Battle Creek, Michigan. We have also won the release of over 60 detainees form the facility, some of whom have gone on to pursue legal status.

This has been an exciting year for our movement, and we welcome yet another year of activists into the fold. More information on DREAM Graduation will be posted here: http://on.fb.me/16T5AJu

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“I didn’t choose this status. It was done to me” - Marybeth Onyeukwu

This past month, we were able to help Marybeth Onyeukwu, an undocumented youth activist with DreamActivist D.C., with a scholarship to apply for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. Marybeth is also regular contributor to Firedoglake.

Marybeth was brought to the United States at the age of 2 from Nigeria, as a dependent of a student-visa holder. She fell out of status and only found out that she was undocumented when she turned 13. Marybeth has two U.S. citizen brothers, and part of a mixed-status immigration family. Despite significant barriers, Marybeth was able to obtain her undergraduate degree in 2012.

About a year ago, Marybeth reached out to DreamActivist D.C., and since then, has been instrumental in local campaigns to secure driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants and keep D.C. a sanctuary city. She was also recently profiled in the Washington Post.

We hope that Marybeth gets a grant of deferred action with all deliberate speed!